Plant essential oil

Creative Enzymes provides over 70 different plant essential oils, including traditional liquid essential oils and microencapsulated powders to meet your diverse needs. Whether by steam distillation, cold pressing, solvent extraction or supercritical CO₂ extraction, our products are of high quality and purity to preserve the original active ingredients of the plant and can be used in aromatherapy, food and beverage, and personal care products.

Introduction

Essential oils are volatile, aromatic compounds extracted from various parts of plants, including leaves, flowers, stems, roots, and seeds. These oils are known for their distinctive fragrances and therapeutic properties. Historically, essential oils have been used in traditional medicine, religious ceremonies, and cosmetics. Today, they are widely utilized in aromatherapy, natural medicine, the food and beverage industry, and in personal care products. Their unique chemical compositions, which include terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, contribute to their diverse range of effects and applications.

Sources of Natural Essential Oil

Essential oils are generally derived from one or more plant parts, such as flowers (e.g. rose, jasmine, clove, rosemary, lavender), leaves (e.g. mint, lemongrass, Eucalyptus), stems and bark (e.g. Geranium, patchouli, petitgrain, Verbena, cinnamon), roots (e.g. ginger, vetiver, Angelica, Calamus), seeds (e.g. fennel, coriander, nutmeg), fruits (bergamot, orange, lemon), and gums or oleoresin exudations (e.g. myrrh, benzoin).

Extraction Methods of Plant Essential Oil

The extraction of essential oils is a crucial process that determines the quality, purity, and potency of the oil. Different plants and their parts require specific extraction methods to efficiently obtain the essential oils while preserving their therapeutic properties. Here are the primary extraction methods:

• Steam Distillation

In this method, steam is directed through the plant material. The steam vaporizes the lighter chemicals in the plant material. The steam is then condensed through a cooling process. This process produces two products: the essential oil, which contains oil-soluble molecules, and a hydrolat or hydrosol, which contains water-soluble molecules. Steam distillation is suitable for a wide range of plant materials. This method has a high yield of essential oils and can preserve the integrity and potency of the oils.

• Cold Pressing

Cold pressing is used to extract essential oils from citrus fruits. In this process, the peels are mechanically pressed to extract the essential oils. The extracted mixture is centrifuged to separate the essential oil from water and solid residues. Cold pressing does not involve heating; therefore, the chemistry of citrus essential oils is not heat-altered and citrus oils smell very similar to the fruits from which they come.

• Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction, also known as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and partitioning, is a method to separate compounds based on their relative solubilities in two different immiscible liquids. Solvent extraction is used for delicate plant materials that are too fragile for steam distillation, like jasmine or rose petals. A solvent such as hexane or ethanol is added to dissolve the essential oils. The solvent is then evaporated, leaving behind a mixture of essential oils, waxes, and resins known as the concrete. The concrete is further processed with alcohol to separate the essential oils, resulting in an absolute essential oil.

• Supercritical CO₂ Extraction

In supercritical CO₂ extraction, carbon dioxide is used as a solvent. CO₂ is pressurized until it reaches a supercritical state, where it exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas. The supercritical CO₂ is passed through the plant material, dissolving the essential oils. The CO₂ and essential oil mixture is then depressurized, causing the CO₂ to return to a gaseous state, leaving behind pure essential oil. There are many advantages to this method: it produces high quality, pure essential oils without solvent residue; it is gentle on the plant material, preserving more of the oil's natural compounds; it is environmentally friendly.

Component of Essential Oils

Essential oils contain mainly phenolic, alcoholic, and terpenoids compounds that are volatile. They are a mixture of organic compounds such as ketones, aldehydes, phenols, phenolic ethers, lactones, organic acids, etc. Terpenoid and phenylpropanoid derivatives are the main components found in essential oils. In most plants, their essential oils contain terpenoids at around 80%. But the presence of phenylpropanoid derivatives affords the essential oils significant flavor, odor, and piquant.

Liquid Essential Oils and Microencapsulated Powder

Traditional essential oils are liquid that are unstable and highly susceptible to changes caused by external factors, such as light, temperature, oxygen, and humidity. The high volatility and reactivity of these compounds represent challenges for the application of essential oils in various industries. To overcome these limitations, the microencapsulation technique is often used to preserve the functional and biological properties of these compounds and to control their release. Microencapsulation is a technology based on the coating of solid, liquid, or gaseous particles through an encapsulating agent that acts as a barrier, completely isolating the core material from the external environment. The matrix keeps an active ingredient locked in and stabilized until the release of the material is desired.

Applications of Plant Essential Oils

• Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, specifically affecting the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood are commonly used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Their calming effects are achieved through inhalation or diffusion. Oils such as bergamot and lemon are known to uplift mood and combat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lavender, valerian, and jasmine oils are often used to improve sleep quality and combat insomnia.

• Food and Beverage Industry

Essential oils are widely used in the food and beverage industry for their potent flavor, aroma and natural preservative properties. Their applications extend beyond mere flavor enhancement to include functional benefits such as antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties, which can improve food safety and shelf life. Essential oils such as lemon and peppermint are used as flavoring agents.

Due to their potent antimicrobial properties, certain essential oils are effective natural preservatives. They inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can spoil food. In particular, essential oils of thyme, oregano, clove, and coriander can be used to control the indigenous microflora that spoils meats; essential oils cause a significant initial reduction in the number of viable cells. In the case of pasteurized fruit juices, bacterial enzymes are the primary cause of spoilage. The addition of essential oils of aromatic plants such as lemongrass, ginger, etc. to melon, pear and apple juices has been shown to be effective against E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp.

• Cosmetics and Personal Care

Essential oils play a pivotal role in the cosmetics and personal care industry due to their multifaceted benefits. In skincare, oils like tea tree, lavender, and frankincense offer potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, making them ideal for treating acne, soothing irritation, and reducing signs of aging. Hair care products leverage the stimulating, cleansing, and balancing effects of rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oils to promote hair growth, mitigate dandruff, and maintain scalp health. Additionally, essential oils serve as the cornerstone of natural perfumes, providing complex, long-lasting aromas that evolve with the wearer's unique chemistry. Beyond their primary functions, essential oils contribute to overall wellness by offering therapeutic benefits such as stress relief, mood enhancement, and mental clarity. Their natural origin, coupled with their ability to address diverse beauty and wellness needs, cements their status as indispensable ingredients in personal care formulations.